Revelation of the Holy Qur'an

              Revelation of the Qur’an

Introduction

The Qur’an was revealed by Allah to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in peacemeal.

Call to Prophet-hood

      Prior to his call Prophet hood, Muhammad (SAW) used to withdraw to a cave called Hira near Makah to mediate and also keep away from noise and corruption in the town. His withdrawal was also because he did not like idol worship which was rampant in Makah. It was during one of these visits in 610 CE. When he was forty years old that Angel Jibril appeared to him and asked him to read. The Angel pressed him hard and still asked him to read, he still said he could not read. He was pressed for the third time and was told:

1. Read in the name of Your Lord who has created all the exists.
2. He created man from a clot of blood.
3. Read and your Lord is the Most Generous.
4. Who taught writing by the pen?
5. He taught man what he did not know.

            (Qur’an Chapter 96 verses 1-5) 

The Prophet’s Reaction to the First Revelation

         As Angle Jibril recited the verses for the third time, Muhammad (SAW) repeated them after him and there after the Angel departed. Muhammad (SAW) shivered and panicked since he had never experienced such a thing before then. Consequently,

He rushed to his wife, Khadijah at home.

He narrated his ordeal to her.

Khadijah consoled and assured him that nothing bad would happen to him.

She covers him up with cloth and took very good care of him.

She even narrated the development to her cousin Waraqah Ibn Nawfal

Waraqah informed her that Muhammad had been appointed a Messenger of God.

By this revelation, Muhammad became a prophet of Allah in the month of Ramadan and that was the origin of Laylatul-Qadr, the night of Majesty in which the revelation started.

Articles of Faith (Al - Iman)

Introduction

There are six articles of faith (Iman). The six constitute the first pillars of Islam. They are belief in:

1. Allah
2. Allah’s Angels
3. Revealed Books
4. Allah’s Prophet
5. The Last Day
6. Destiny (good or bad)

However, we are going to discuss two Articles of Faith i.e, Allah and Allah’s Angels

1.1 Articles of Faith: (Belief in Allah)

However, we are treating the first (Belief in Allah).

Q59: 22-24

1. He is Allah beside whom there is no god. The All knower of the unseen and the open. He is Allah, The Most Beneficent, and The Most Merciful.
2. He is Allah beside whom there is no god. The Sovereign, The Holy, The Source of Peace, The Giver of Security, The Watchful, The Almighty, The Compeller, The Supreme. Glory is to Allah above all that is being associated as partners with Him. (Vs.23)
3. He is Allah, The Creator, The Fashioner, and The Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him, and He is the Almighty, The All-Wise. (Vs.24)

Islamic Attitude to Divorce

Definition of Divorce

Divorce is a word used for the cessation of a marriage contract. There are different ways of bringing a marriage contract to an end. Some are lawful, some are not. Divorce has some implications, obligations and rights. Islam has a laid down procedure for divorce.

Introduction
In Islam, marriage is an age-long contract between the husband and the wife. Islam encourages spouses to live together in harmony and prevent separation or divorce. Allah describes a marriage contract as a strong covenant Q 4:21. However, in cases reconciliation of parties to a marriage contract is impossible, Islam, reluctantly, permits divorce.

The role of the four Sunni School in the spreading of Islamic Law

The role of the four Sunni schools in the spreading of Islamic Law (Shari’ah)

The Arabic word for school of ‘Fiqr’ is madhhad plural of madhhib. The Sunnah schools of Islamic thought mostly organized by people are

1. Malikisu.
2. Hamifi.
3. Shafii.
4. Hambali.

               Each of the four founder of this school is experienced in Mauhi much of the following, interpretation (Tafsir) its principle of language (Lugha), the Hadiths and other Islamic Religious sciences.

Zakkat

Zakkah is the third pillars of Islam, it is an obligatory charity. It is payable on one’s properties that has spent a year with the owner. It is payable to the poor and needy. It is due only when the property reaches a measure called Nisab.

People to be giving Zakkah Q9:93

1. Poor.
2. Needy.
3. Those who work for it collection and distribution.
4. Those hearts that have been inclined towards Islam, to attracts them.
5. Free captives.
6. Those in debts.
7. Allah’s cause.
8. The way farer's (a traveler who is cut off from everything).